Pioneer West Monroe Figure Ben Allen

Monroe Morning World, November 18, 1934, Page 6. Ben Allen was born enslaved in Alabama. According to his death certificate, he was the son of Fed Allen and Willie A. Rushing and died in Monroe at the age of 95. According to the book, "Contributors of Ouachita Parish: A History of Blacks To Commemorate the … Continue reading Pioneer West Monroe Figure Ben Allen →

Varino’s Grocery Building

Earlier this month, I saw a post on Facebook, announcing a historic grant was given to remodel the old Varino building at 200 Commerce Street in West Monroe, next to the Flying Heart Brewery. I'm very excited about this, since the building is probably over 120 years old! I have also heard it has a … Continue reading Varino’s Grocery Building →

The E.E. Johnson Service Station

This postcard is a rare one from the 1920's. When I saw it come up for sale on eBay, I had to have it! It came in last month. The postmark on the back is dated 1929. The first mention of the E.E. Johnson Service Station in the local newspapers came in 1926. This site … Continue reading The E.E. Johnson Service Station →

The End of Travelers Rest Plantation

The Ouachita Citizen, Friday, October 4, 1946, Page 1 TRAVELERS REST MANOR IS RAZED Mrs. McGuire Will Build Modern Home at Site of Landmark "Travelers Rest," the ancient home of the McGuires and one of the oldest man-made landmarks in North Louisiana, has been completely razed to make way for a new and modern home, … Continue reading The End of Travelers Rest Plantation →

West Monroe Landmark Torn Down

Ouachita Citizen, May 26, 1933, Page 1 CITY'S LARGEST BUILDING RAZED: ONE-TIME GATHERING PLACE FOR STOCKMEN NOW ONLY A MEMORY Big Structure, Its Usefulness Ended By the Universal Acceptance of the Motor Car, and Damaged By Elements and Age, is Salvaged for Building Material Another old landmark is gone from West Monroe. For years it … Continue reading West Monroe Landmark Torn Down →

1971 Burning of Crosley Elementary

On June 9, 1971, fire broke out in the copy room of Crosley Elementary School, located at 700 Natchitoches Street. Due to the interior being of wood, the fire quickly spread. Three different fire departments were called in. Before it was over, three firefighters were hurt (one seriously) and the roof and entire second floor … Continue reading 1971 Burning of Crosley Elementary →

The Life of Ike Hamilton: From Rodeo Clown to Famous Auctioneer

This is a wonderful interview with Ike Hamilton, whom the West Monroe arena is named for. https://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/DeltaHamilton.html

St. Paschal’s School – 1945

These final photos show the Catholic school which was a part of the church. I believe this school was the first Catholic school in West Monroe.

St. Paschal’s Catholic Church, West Monroe

At one of my favorite antique shops in West Monroe last week, I found a little pamphlet from 1945 detailing the history of West Monroe's first Catholic church, St. Paschal's. There are some lovely photos in it of the church and school I will share in the next couple of posts.

German Prisoner of War Camp in West Monroe

Did you know that during World War II, there was a prisoner of war camp in Ouachita Parish? It sat where the West Monroe Convention Center is now. The facility housed around 200 of Erwin Rommel's Africa Korp that had been captured by American forces. The men were sent to work on local cotton farms … Continue reading German Prisoner of War Camp in West Monroe →